Clay County Administrator Steve Larson opens COVID-19 press conference.
Karen Newman
Clay County Administrator Steve Larson conducted an August 18, 2020 outdoor press conference to announce that online applications are open for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (C.A.R.E.S.) Act Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The online applications opened on August 17th and will close on September 7th at 11:59 PM.
On August 4, 2020, the Clay County Commissioners agreed to a six-category spending framework to distribute the $7,843,443 county C.A.R.E.S. Act allotment with small business relief as the priority. The goal is to provide financial assistance to small business owners with $2.25 million set aside for that purpose. Community/nonprofit organizations experiencing hardship due to the pandemic may apply for a share of a $250,000 allotment. A collaborative committee made up of county, city and township representatives determined the guidelines. Clay County Commissioners Jenny Mongeau and Kevin Campbell led the group. Dan Mahli, Moorhead’s acting city manager, praised Larson saying, “We are all here to express how excited we are about this partnership. Steve (Larson) worked through the process so fast. Clay County is being lifted up as an example in the state of what a public-sector and business-sector collaboration should look like.”
Grants of up to $10,000 are available for eligible businesses with 20 full-time-equivalent or fewer employees and community/nonprofit groups. Grants of up to $3000 are available to eligible sole proprietors. All applicants must meet eligibility requirements. The program is not first-come, first-served. It will not be distributed in a lottery system. Grant amounts will be determined by the number of qualifying applications received by the deadline.
Guidelines, eligibility requirements and application information can be accessed through the Clay county website https://claycountymn.gov/COVID-Relief Emails may be sent to COVID.Relief@claycountymn.gov. Phone messages may be left at 218-299-7820. Links to the grant applications are also available on the Barnesville, Dilworth, Glyndon, Hawley and Moorhead city websites. Larson emphasized the importance of seeking help with the process if needed. “We want to get the relief dollars out quickly without a burdensome application process.” He continued, “Whether it is a licensed daycare in Ulen, a restaurant in Moorhead, or a nonprofit in Barnesville, Clay County is hopeful that these relief funds can provide financial support to keep the doors open and our citizens employed.”